DEAD END

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does dead end mean? 

• DEAD END (noun)
  The noun DEAD END has 2 senses:

1. a passage with access only at one end

2. a situation in which no progress can be made or no advancement is possible

  Familiarity information: DEAD END used as a noun is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• DEAD END (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A passage with access only at one end

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Synonyms:

cul; cul de sac; dead end

Hypernyms ("dead end" is a kind of...):

passage (a way through or along which someone or something may pass)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A situation in which no progress can be made or no advancement is possible

Classified under:

Nouns denoting stable states of affairs

Synonyms:

dead end; deadlock; impasse; stalemate; standstill

Context example:

reached an impasse on the negotiations

Hypernyms ("dead end" is a kind of...):

situation (a complex or critical or unusual difficulty)

 Context examples 

This allele, which encodes dead end protein homolog 1 protein, plays a role in regulating gene expression by prohibiting miRNA-mediated gene suppression.

(DND1 wt Allele, NCI Thesaurus)

Dead end protein homolog 1 (353 aa, ~39 kDa) is encoded by the human DND1 gene.

(Dead End Protein Homolog 1, NCI Thesaurus)